Renault suspect MGU-K issue for Hulkenberg

Renault have confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg's early retirement from the Chinese Grand Prix was down to another MGU-K failure, as the French-works team's reliability issues continue.

In Bahrain a couple of weeks ago, both Hulkenberg and his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo did not finish the race with MGU-K problems - meaning Renault would investigate the matter thoroughly ahead of the China Grand Prix.

All Renault-powered engines would take a new spec of MGU-K unit ahead of this weekend's race in Shanghai, in an attempt to solve the reliability woes from the French manufacturer.

But just 16 laps into the Chinese GP, Hulkenberg reported a drop in his car's engine power and was subsequently forced into early retirement.

"It's clearly a very disappointing race for us today, it was a difficult start to the race, I lost a position and it was tough following cars ahead," Hulkenberg said. "We pitted and came out in some traffic, but then I felt a loss of power.

Ricciardo had a strong race for Renault, though, finishing 'Best of the Rest' in seventh-place for the French-works team.